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Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief

Federal judge: Continued Border Patrol sweeps in California violated court order
Printer-friendly version By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: a line of
News Issues

Padre Dam’s Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility decommissioned after more than a half-century of use
Printer-friendly versionRay Stoyer Water Recycling Facility at Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Santee Lakes Community event makes way for the

Lemon Grove Library hosting Sheriff’s reentry event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division
Politics

La Mesa City Council votes 5-0 approving e-bike safety pilot program
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 16, 2026 (La Mesa) — La Mesa is the latest city in San Diego County

Padre Dam’s Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility decommissioned after more than a half-century of use
Printer-friendly versionRay Stoyer Water Recycling Facility at Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Santee Lakes Community event makes way for the
Wildfires and Emergencies

Cal State University San Marcos and nearby homes evacuated due to brush fire
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts April 5, 2026 (San Marcos) – The #MoreeFire in San Marcos has led to evacuations, including the California State…

Help shape fire priorities in San Diego County
East County News Service April 4, 2026 (San Diego County) — With “fire season” now a year-round threat, public input is growing in importance as…
Events & Arts

Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Printer-friendly version Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News

Lionel’s Legacy hosting sleepover party and more in Lakeside April 18-19
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Lakeside) — East County-based senior dog rescue group Lionel’s Legacy is holding
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DESTINATIONS: Borrego and beyond — a beautiful backcountry day
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman, with photos by Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery Feb. 22, 2026 (San Diego County) — With

We need your help! We have more news tips for East County issues than our budget can cover
Printer-friendly versionLast year tapped our resources at East County Magazine more than any on record, with so many major news
People

Donate to help pets in need at Alpine Pet Food and Supply Drive April 4
East County News Service March 14, 2026 (Alpine) – Dog and cat food, treats, grooming supplies, new pet toys, feeding

Descanso resident named American Honey Queen
By Miriam Raftery February 18, 2026 (Descanso) — You could call it sweet success. The American Beekeeping Federation has chosen
Communities

Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief

New Crisis Stabilization Unit opening in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionApril 18, 2026 (El Cajon) — The County of San Diego will open its newest Crisis Stabilization Unit —
Features

Federal judge: Continued Border Patrol sweeps in California violated court order
Printer-friendly version By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: a line of

How the fruit fly quarantine has impacted food donations — and how you can help
Printer-friendly version By Philicia Tonangoye Image: Tangerines, via Bing (cc) April 18, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – The Mexican
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MUTINY AT THE GOP?
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 1, 2008 (San Diego) – San Diego Republican Party Chair Tony Krvaric is alleged to have rigged endorsements including a mayoral race, violated state election law and party rules. A complaint filed by a Central Committee member calls for Krvaric’s ouster. Will the GOP Central Committee make its chairman, who has previously been implicated in
FIRE OFFICIALS SAY SHOCKEY FIRE CAUSE CAN’T BE DETERMINED; PRAISE CAMPO RESIDENTS FOR SAVING HOMES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Cal Fire Captain Richard Stephan October 27, 2008 (Campo) – The cause of the Shockey Fire, which burned approximately 400 acres on October 15, will likely never be conclusively determined, California Fire and Forestry (Cal Fire) officials informed East County Magazine’s editor during a recent visit at Campo’s fire station. “We found the area of origin
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
Printer-friendly versionDownload PDFs provided by Cal Fire in English and Spanish. Printer-friendly version
EL CAJON VOTERS TO DECIDE ON SALES TAX HIKE
Printer-friendly versionCouncilman blasts Assembly Rep for opposing Prop J without consulting Council or Mayor By Miriam Raftery 77th District Assemblyman Joel Anderson Voters in El Cajon will decide whether or not to approve Proposition J, which would raise sales tax by one-half cent on the dollar. “The decision to place a sales tax increase on the ballot for El Cajon
11 CANDIDATES VIE FOR 3 SEATS ON EL CAJON COUNCIL
Printer-friendly versionContenders clash on budget solutions, jobs, housing, and religion in politics By Miriam Raftery How should El Cajon address its budget shortfall? Should public jobs be privatized, or services cut? Or can new revenues and employment be created with an industrial park, green jobs, a new hospital, a university, or other innovative solutions? Candidates differ sharply on these
Editorial – Seizing the Moment
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County’s Green Energy Future By Martha Sullivan The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is poised to take action any day now on Sempra Energy’s proposed Sunrise Powerlink project, which the CPUC’s own ratepayers’ advocate division has concluded is unnecessary. In this editorial, Martha Sullivan, former CPUC staffer, lays out a plan of action for consumers interested in
LEMON GROVE COUNCIL CANDIDATES OFFER FRESH PERSPECTIVES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 25, 2008 (Lemon Grove) – Who has the best fresh ideas for Lemon Grove? Which candidate can squeeze the most benefits out of shrinking tax dollars? What seeds of future development should be planted for the city’s future—and was the Council’s vote to raise its pay 40% a sweet or sour deal? These are among
LIBRARY FRIENDS ANNOUNCE ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
Printer-friendly versionNovember 1, 2008 (San Diego) – The Library Friends of San Diego County (LFSDC) announced the winners of its annual essay contest, with this year’s theme, "Libraries, Loud or Quiet?" First, second and third place winners in the youth, teen and adult categories will be honored by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors at the Tuesday, November 18
A QUESTION OF POWER ON SDG&E’S PROPOSED SUNRISE POWERLINK:
Printer-friendly version Video documentary distributed to CPUC is now online October 23, 2008 (San Diego, CA) – Stubborn Mule Productions and Backcountry Against the Dump, Inc. announce that “A Question of Power” is now available online. This one-hour locally produced grassroots documentary about the ongoing battle over the 150-mile “Sunrise Powerlink” transmission line proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric
THE RENO REPORT: MORNING HAS BROKEN
Printer-friendly versionBy Jamie Reno Exclusive for East County Magazine October 15, 2008 (Tierrasanta) – Morning has broken. As the sun rises over the East County, a sense of calm permeates my body. Yesterday morning, when I started writing this column for East County Magazine on the new fire threats, it was a different story. I was filled with anxiety. The
EL CAJON COUNICLMEMBERS REELECTED
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 5, 2024 (El Cajon) – All three incumbent El Cajon City Councilmembers have won reelection. Councilmembers Michelle Metschel and Phil Ortiz ran unopposed. Councilmember Steve Goble has more than twice as many votes as his opponent, Courtney Hall, 69.64% to 30.36%. According to the Registrar of Voters, 855,948 ballots have been counted thus far,

SALES TAX MEASURES PASSING IN LEMON GROVE, EL CAJON AND LA MESA, FAILING IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – All four East County cities had measures on the ballot to raise or extend sale taxes, and three of the four are winning by large margins. In Lemon Grove, which experienced flooding tied to storm drains in January, voters overwhelmingly support passage of Measure to raise sales taxes,

SANTEE INCUMBENTS WINNING HANDILY, MEASURE S SALES TAX INITIATIVE FAILING IN EARLY RETURNS
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 5, 2024 (Santee) – Santee Mayor John Minto has won reelection over challenger Kelli O’Brien, with 79.39% of the votes tallied thus far. Councilman Dustin Trotter appears cruising to victory over Padre Dam Water Board member Augie Scalzitti, with 61.85%. Laura Koval has also been reelected, running unopposed. Minto is a 29-year veteran of

CLOSE COUNCIL RACE IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 5, 2024 (La Mesa) – Four candidates are vying for two open seats on the La Mesa City Council, and the race is too close to call. With 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters counted in early returns, Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki lead with 32.03% and 31.27% respectively,

SNOW TAKES BIG LEAD IN LEMON GROVE MAYORAL RACE; COUNCIL RACES REMAIN CLOSE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 5, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Councilmember Alysson Snow may be poised to oust incumbent Mayor Racquel Vasquez in Lemon Grove, if early election returns hold. With 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters, Snow has 41.27%, Vasquez 30.34%, and Councilmember Liana LeBaron 28.39%. In the City Council race, where four candidates

INCUMBENTS LEAD IN LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL RACES
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 5, 2024 (San Diego) – All five incumbent Congressional members countywide appear cruising to reelection, including East County representatives Darrell Issa and Sara Jacobs. Below are results for all five San Diego Congressional races with 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters. UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE 48TH

EARLY RESULTS IN EAST COUNTY’S STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – With 844,948 ballots counted out of 1.9 million registered voters in the county, Akilah Weber, a Democrat, appears breezing to a win in the 39th State Senate district with 61.53% of the votes over Republican Bob Divine at 38.47%. Conservative talk radio firebrand Carl DeMaio, a former

SDG&E WARNS POWER SHUTOFFS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY TO 24,740 CUSTOMERS
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E warns that high fire risk weather conditions amid a red flag warning may result in public safety power shutoffs to prevent fires starting Wed. Nov. 6 at 4 a.m. through Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. Communities at risk of power shutoffs

SDG&E WARNS POWER SHUTOFFS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY TO 24,740 CUSTOMERS
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E warns that high fire risk weather conditions amid a red flag warning may result in public safety power shutoffs to prevent fires starting Wed. Nov. 6 at 4 a.m. through Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. Communities at risk of power shutoffs

RED FLAG WARNING ISSUED WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY DUE TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER
Printer-friendly versionBy Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office November 5, 2024 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov 7. The Red Flag Warning has been issued due to strong gusty winds, low humidity and
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